Valentina

@DukeLacroix: Thank you for you concern. John (my S.O.) was adamant about me not having WLS. He was clinically depressed and was terrified to be alone. I thought I had made all of the necessary arrangements to have someone visit him throughout the day, but when I woke up from surgery and he wasn't there I knew... I signed myself out of the hospital and found him dead in our bed. He had consumed 120 vicodins. I made his memorial service arrangements, so by the time his mother, and three sisters arrived from Florida everything was beautifully arranged. I was told to leave the home that John and I had shared for 10yrs and invited never to return. I was not welcomed to attend John's services. I was to blame for his death because I KNEW he was opposed to my having it. I was totally selfish with a complete disregard for John's well being and stability. I, along with a policeman picked up my belonging from a storage unit a month later. So now you know---the rest of the story... I hope you also know why it is that I believe it is soooo important for one's spouse, or S. O. to receive counceling/therapy and even a mandatory pysch eval before surgery. It's not just one person having WLS---it is the two of you--your partner, spouse, soul mate. My opinion

It amazing me how different we all are. I can not tolerate much chicken at all. I will eat it only if it is very moist--like being cooked in a crock pot, or grilled and then dipped into a vinegar sauce--no bbq sauce nor ketsup---tooooo sweet. I will tolerated moist chicken on top of a beautiful bed of greens, just so I can have the treat of eating the greens. I've never had a problem with rare beef or juicy pork. Fish--especially those that I've caught out of the surf myself is my all time favorite!!! Yummmmyyyy. Chicken? Blahhhhhh and yuuuuuccccckkkk. "To each sleeve, their own"

I added instant coffee to mine--a lot of instant coffee. Be sure to check with your bariatric team to see if your program allows for you to have coffee. If so, give it a try. The bitterness of the coffee cuts the sweetness of the Protein shake. Good luck, friend.

My recommendation? You should follow your program. There are as many theories about coffee and when/if bariatric sleevers should have it as there are stars in the sky. You chose your bariatric team for your own personal reasons. Now you should probably follow their guidelines. Call them and explain your "misery". Maybe they have a "plan B". Good luck and keep posting. Sometimes, that alone will help. prayers going up for you.

Be a good Girl Scout and "Be Prepared". If you start to hurt, take your pain med for the first couple of days. It is much much easier to manage pain if you "head it off at the pass"--stay ahead of it. If you wait until you are overwhelmed with pain, it will be much more difficult to get control of it. I find that peak pain is usually around day #3 after surgery. I believe that is when your body is finally fully "awake" and on its own. I look forward to your posting when you are post op and some newbie asks this very same question. Prayers going up for you. You got this!!

--like ordering wonton Soup with no wontons? That usually leads to a great deal of foreign language exchange.

I never take left overs home. These days I will order whatever suits my fancy--Protein of the day. Then I will order to have only a third to be delivered to me. The other two thirds (sometimes 1/2) I will donate to the homeless shelters. Many restaurants in NYC are donating all uneaten food to the homeless. I think it's a wonderful program. I will admit once sending an entire beef wellington back because the beef was too well done. Normally I would have just eaten it, but I thought some homeless person would be thrilled to be able to enjoy a beef wellington. Shame of me, I guess, but I still smile thinking about the smile that must have been on the poor soul's face that evening. I'm just bad, I guess.

For me, different varieties of lettuce are a treat for me. I will eat the yucky chicken just so I can crunch into the escarole! YUM! If I'm a good girl and drink my sickly sweet shake in the morning, I can look forward to some endive with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast and balsamic vinegar on it later in the day. When your program allows varieties of lettuce, just PLAN for it. Work it into your requirements --then ENJOY THE CRUNCH!

I didn't see any "Valentina's" hot sauce on your list. Ever try it?? Of course I, who can not tolerate hot or spicy gets a bottle of it every year for my birthday. Oh well, it's great for re-gifting. I do love well seasoned food. There is a difference, I think. Enjoy the spice, you hot mamas and stud muffins!

I believe that the closer one is to the ocean the better the cerviche. Makes sense to me! I would think that the "pickling" with the lime/lemon juice would kill most parasites where in suchi the parasites are free for the ingesting! I just keep thinking: No one is going to come out of this life alive, so why not? Heading for the surf in two weeks. --can't wait to catch some "sushi".

Everyone has--or should have doubts before having WLS. Those doubts usually come with a dose of fear if not all out panic. You aren't ready--in my opinion. Your research is incomplete. Read everything you can get your hands on. Talk to as many WLS folks you can (those who will share their experience with you). Go to WLS support group meetings. Those meetings are deep deep wells of information. Ask questions--write them down before you go so you don't forget any. Talk to people who have had a negative experience as well as the fortunate ones who have had great success. Keep posting and reading on this site. There are always opinions! --as well as useful information. Discuss WLS with your spouse/S.O. to get their feelings about the procedure. This is a big one! WLS is soooo much more difficult without support. After you have done all of the above (and a little praying couldn't hurt), your mind and heart will know. Then you will be ready. I wish you "happy information hunting". Prayers going up for you.

Not only mandatory therapy for post ops, but also for spouses/S.O.s. Just think of how many relationships could have been saved if the sleeved and their main support person were on the same page going in? My opinion.

Hello, friend. I, too came back to the program --five years come June for me. In my opinion, you've made the most important step. You got you head wrapped around your sleeve again. I also have RA, OA, fibromyalgia, replaced L knee and spinal surgery--all in the last five years. I know of your pain. Is this going to be easy for you? Nope Will it be the same weight loss as when you first had you WLS? Nope Is your sleeve still willing to work with/for you. Mine did, so I will give you a --Yep My advice to start off with is to get reconnected with your bariatric team. If they are not available, find a new team to work with. Make an appointment with the medical representative to get reacquainted , make an appointemt with a registered dietician, make an appointment with a bariatric friendly therapist, make an appointment with a gym, a pool or a walking path. I guess what I'm trying to say is to try and lay out a blue print for success. Get all of your appointments lined up and then bowl them over with your wiliness to get back on track. I will tell you now, that the weight loss will not be as rapid, but the weight will come off. The hardest part is already done---you got you head "wrapped" and your heart engaged. I've had to increase my pain meds to get my exercising in, but that won't be forever. I wish you nothing but sunshine and rainbows, my friend. Just be ready for the rainy days and tsunamis. Keep posting. Any questions you have I am hopeful that someone on this site will have the answer for you. I'm sure someone will have an opinion-- Just keep in mind that your sleeve and your weight loss will be different with such a time warp. But---just as rewarding. Prayers going up for you.

psst, I hear KF's loaded. He made his wealth dealing in the inside kangaroo market .. --Private jet with a built in pouch and everything! But don't tell anyone. We wouldn't want the Australian IRS to get on his "tail". Mums the word, OK?

There are many on this site who can give you better advice on your post than I. I just want you to know that I read your post. I am listening. Sometimes, I hope it helps to know that there's someone "out there" who is willing to just listening. I know you will find a way over this "bump in the road" on you WLS journey. I realize that it's a huge bump, but with enough support and determination I am confident that you will succeed. Best wishes and prayers going up for you, my friend.

while your getting your stuff, take the other cat. It's the right thing to do===keep them together.

Maybe....

Maybe a trip to Australia--paid in full by KF. Great idea! Glad I thought of it.

There are folks on this site who are older than us who have been very successful with WLS. I just got sidetracked for awhile. But, here I am back on track. Keep me posted on how you're doing. I really do care. Prayers going up for all of us "seniors".

Sometimes the journey takes many twists and turns. At our age, what's the rush?. We deserve a leisurely path.

Just from following this thread and your comments as it goes along, I feel that , "You got this". You're already working it through and are heading for "the light"---the solution--or the ease of the situation--for YOU. Keep working it, my friend. You're almost there! Prayers going up.

My new screen saver. Thank you, Dub I needed that.

Thank you.

FYI: I was told last week by my bariatric surgeon that the program directors of my team are going to start limiting the use of PPIs due to the link of prolonged use and kidney stones. Just something else to think about, right? I just wanted to pass that on to you. As you know, kidney stones are nasty and extremely painful. Wishing you nothing but the best. Prayers going up...

I know. I wish to God every day that I didn't, but I know. My S.O. committed suicide the morning of my surgery. He was adamant about me not have WLS. I strongly believe that now is the time that you make NO major, life changing decisions . Let your relationship rest. If it's meant to be, it will work out. Give both of you time to adjust. . Your surgery is done. It can not be reversed. I believe that for now you have to work on "you". ​ Try to get into counseling---for you, for her, then for the two of you. I wouldn't wish what you're feeling on man nor beast. It's stuff that nightmares are of. I know... Many prayers from many people sending prayers up for you, my friend.